Tamarindo is getting ready for a Halloween weekend that promises everything from surfers riding waves in costumes to trick-or-treating, costume contests, live music and beach parties. The popular Guanacaste destination will host the fifth annual Tamarindo Halloween Fest, with its main celebrations taking place this Friday and Saturday.
Organized by the Tamarindo Development Association (ADIT), the festival brings together local families, tourists, businesses and community organizations for two days of activities designed to offer something for just about everyone. There will be events for children, contests for pets, a nighttime running race and plenty of entertainment for adults looking to celebrate Halloween at the beach.
The celebration has grown since it began in 2022, with Tamarindo’s hotels, restaurants and local businesses joining the festivities. Organizers hope the event will also bring more people to the community before Costa Rica’s busy tourism season gets underway. This year, Halloween falls on a Saturday, giving everyone a full weekend to enjoy the celebrations without having to rush home the next morning.
The main family activities begin Friday at 5 p.m. with a costume parade through downtown Tamarindo, starting near Hotel Tamarindo Diria and continuing toward Parque Oneida, where much of the evening’s entertainment will take place. Children and adults are encouraged to dress up, with costume competitions planned for kids and families. Even dogs will have their chance to compete, as organizers invite pet owners to bring their four-legged companions dressed in Halloween outfits.
The Friday celebration will feature a crazy hair competition, trick-or-treating, music and activities for younger children. The traditional Payasos Los Alegres will also join the parade, bringing a touch of Costa Rican entertainment to the festivities. For those who prefer something a little scarier, Journey School will operate a haunted house at Parque Oneida beginning at 6 p.m. Admission to the haunted house carries a fee, with proceeds supporting scholarships for students at the school.
Those looking for food will find local vendors participating in the Tama Market, offering a variety of dishes and refreshments throughout the evening. A dance competition will add another element to the celebration, with participants performing routines inspired by Halloween characters and popular horror-themed entertainment. Organizers are encouraging groups to put together their most creative performances for a chance to win prizes.
Friday will also feature a recreational 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) race organized by Tama Run. The event combines exercise with Halloween fun, rewarding runners who show up wearing the most creative costumes. After the family celebrations, Tamarindo’s nightlife will take over. Crazy Monkey will host its Haunted Paradise party on Friday beginning at 9 p.m., featuring several DJs and three stages with dancehall, reggaeton and electronic music.
The festivities continue Saturday morning with a free Halloween reading event at the Tamarindo Children’s Community Library. From 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., children can enjoy themed stories and collect candy. One of the weekend’s most unusual events takes place Saturday afternoon when surfers head into the Pacific Ocean wearing Halloween costumes.
The costume surfing event is scheduled from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in front of Witch’s Rock Surf Camp, bringing together local surfers, instructors, residents and visitors for an afternoon of waves, music and prizes. Participants will be judged in different categories, adding a playful twist to a sport that has helped make Tamarindo one of Costa Rica’s best-known surfing destinations.
Several local surfing organizations are participating, including the Tamarindo Surf Association, the Tamarindo Sports Committee and the North Pacific Surf Association. For anyone who would rather watch than paddle out, the beach will provide a chance to see surfers attempt to catch waves while dressed in costumes not normally associated with the ocean.
Saturday evening will bring another round of parties and competitions. Sharky’s is planning a Halloween celebration with $1,500 in costume prizes, while Iguana Surf and NAIA restaurant will hold a sunset gathering featuring music and additional costume contests. A pickleball tournament organized by 15 Love Tamarindo is also part of the festival’s activities, with prizes that include a two-night hotel stay for two people.
Beyond the entertainment, the festival is intended to support Tamarindo’s tourism businesses during a traditionally slower period of the year. Hotels including Pasatiempo, Mar Rey, Hideaway Costa Rica and Las Guapas are offering special accommodation promotions, with some deals extending into November.
Restaurants and shops are also participating, giving everyone more reasons to spend the weekend in town. Several beachwear and fashion retailers have announced discounts ranging from 10% to 70%. Elizabeth Cole, president of the Tamarindo Development Association, said the goal is to make the community a destination people associate with Halloween celebrations in Costa Rica.
The combination of beaches, restaurants, nightlife and family entertainment makes Tamarindo well suited for a festival that appeals to different age groups, while providing additional business for local merchants ahead of the high season. Although many of the community activities are free, some attractions, races and private parties may require advance registration or paid admission.
Anyone planning to attend should check individual event details, particularly for nighttime entertainment and competitions with limited participation. The main family celebration at Parque Oneida runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, while the Saturday program offers activities from the morning through late evening.
For travelers already visiting Guanacaste, Halloween weekend provides another reason to spend time in Tamarindo. And for those living in Costa Rica who want something different from the usual Halloween party, watching costumed surfers catch waves in the Pacific might be difficult to beat.
The complete schedule, registration details and any last-minute changes are available through the Tamarindo Development Association’s official website and its social media accounts.
